Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks takes no-no into 9th vs. Cardinals

The Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks came 3 outs within no-hitting the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night before giving up a leadoff home run in the ninth inning to Jeremy Hazelbaker. The Cubs held on for a 4-1 victory at Busch Stadium.

Hendricks walked two and struck out seven while trying to complete the 296th no-hitter in major league history and the second one this season by a Cubs pitcher. Teammate Jake Arrieta no-hit the Reds on April 21, and there have been none since.

Aroldis Chapman came in to relieve Hendricks after the dinger and got the save.

Hendricks’ near no-no marked the 32nd to reach at least the 7th inning this season but fail.

Author: Dirk Lammers

Dirk Lammers is a veteran journalist who began rooting for the New York Mets in the early-1970s when the team’s no no-hitter count was barely 2,000 games old. Lammers has since turned his research into Baseball’s No-Hit Wonders: More Than a Century of Pitching’s Greatest Feats (Unbridled Books).

The SAN DIEGO PADRES began play 51 years,1 month,28 days ago and have never thrown a no-hitter. Learn more about the streak here.

On deck

The CLEVELAND INDIANS own the longest current no no-no streak among teams that have thrown a no-hitter. It has been 39 years,0 months,22 days ago since Len Barker tossed a perfect game agains the Toronto Blue Jays at Cleveland Stadium.

Avoiding the zero

The OAKLAND ATHLETICS haven't fallen victim to a no-hitter since 28 years,10 months,24 days ago, the longest current streak.